NEWARK, NY (May 29, 2017) – The Newark Pilots began practice at Colburn Park over the holiday weekend. The Pilots are getting ready for their 2017 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League season home opener on Thursday. First year head coach John Mayotte is using this practice time to learn the strengths and weaknesses of his new players.

“I would hate to walk out there the first game today or tomorrow,” stated Coach Mayotte. “There’s just no way will be able to manufacture all the information that goes into learning new players, what they can do, what they can’t do and that type thing, it’s a whole different perspective, and that’s the nature of summer baseball.”

“I’m seeing some things, and I’m proud to say that the competitiveness is what I love and we’re trying to get some toughness in the kids now, pushing them a little bit, but not hurting them or anything,” Mayotte added.

Mayotte’s assistant coaches include Franklin Bush from the University of Buffalo, and Bennett Schiltz from Frostburg State University.

“The assistant coaches are the strength of your program,” stated Mayotte. “And we’ve got some young kids that are learning to play, like a lot of those reps today were pretty well executed.”

Coach Mayotte is no stranger to the PGCBL, serving as Head Coach of the Glens Falls franchise for 10 seasons from 2004-13. Mayotte led Glens Falls to four division titles and won 263 games with the club. He has also earned two Coach of the Year Awards.

The Newark Pilots will begin their 2017 PGCBL season at Colburn Park on Thursday, June 1st at 7:05pm against the Oneonta Outlaws.

For more information please contact Leslie Ohmann, General Manager for the Newark Pilots, at (315) 576-6710 or Leslie@newarkpilots.com.